Neighbours - Children in the Backyard – avoid screen time

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MUM-e-Mail

To encourage, develop, and equip

mothers of preschoolers and their supporters

August 2008

Mother Maxim - Tip

Love your neighbour as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39)

Mother Moment - Fun for the neighbourhood kids

We have a rule for neighbourhood children visiting our home (and this is more important as our children get older): We meet your mother or father first. Bring them along so your Mum knows where you are and who we are.

This became a rule one day when I looked out to the front gate and saw eight children (not mine) aged 3-10yo congregating – and they were just gearing up to play tag around our section. As I walked out to the gate, I smiled and said ‘Hello’ by name to the 3 children I knew and then invited the others to bring their mums back so I could meet them.

Haven’t seen them here since – was I that scary?

I know that the three children who do visit like coming to our place but they come on my terms. Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, before 4.30pm, and home when I ask or at latest 5pm. If they’re riding bikes or scooters with my children they also wear shoes and a helmet. Occasionally I give them a drink of water and a biscuit, but they always get interesting play. One day it’s hopscotch, another day a barrel of chalks and then they make up games. Inside, TV and videos are not options. They might do paper-folding, card-making, trains and tracks, or playing card games, listening to a variety of music.

One of the more memorable afternoons, entailed the children building, outside our kitchen door, a preying mantis ‘house’ lined with various leaves and ‘food’, complete with a tower and tight rope for the PM to crawl along!

We love our neighbours, but there are boundaries.      - jmcw

Also, an interesting read: http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/parents/neighbor_kids.html#vs

Mother’s Heart

I will not be afraid to say “No” or tell neighbour’s children to go home. I will protect myself and my children in ways I think best. I am not a doormat and won’t allow my good-hearted nature to be ‘presumed upon’, yet I will show care to the children of the neighbourhood.

Creative

·      Fresh flowers add beauty, colour and fragrance to your surroundings. Pick some wild flowers or consider growing your own this spring.

·     Houseplants are not only decorative but they also put oxygen into the air. Experts say they also improve the air quality by removing pollutants.

MOPPETS

http://www.truceteachers.org/tvandyourchild.html
http://www.truceteachers.org/toyactionguide.html#avoid - avoid screen time, esp if under 3yo.
http://www.truceteachers.org/toyactionguide.html#shoebox - great idea **

Some MOPS Mums forums

http://www.cafemom.com/group/MOPSmoms  **

http://www.mops.org/bb/index.php - MI forums, many MOPS mummy topics

Mum’s e-Mail

Share any ideas, comments – or just say “Hi!” and let us know where in the world you are.

MOPS Link

www.mops.org.nz

NZ MOPS Leaders Conference, 1-3 August 2008. ** http://www.flickr.com/photos/mopsnz/

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